BACKGROUND: Microplastics (MP) from tobacco products, especially cigarette filters made of cellulose acetate (CA), are an emerging environmental and public health threat. This study aims to gather evidence on a neglected but relevant topic and raise awareness for the negotiations and implementation of Article 18 by Parties to the WHO FCTC and UN Member States in negotiating the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty through the Article 17 and 18 Knowledge Hub.
METHODS: A narrative review was conducted using primary and secondary sources, including scientific articles, technical reports, international guidelines, meta-analyses, and conference resolutions. The analysis focused on tobacco waste, such as filters, plastics, and metals, and their environmental and health impacts. The review also considered discussions from COP10 and the UN Treaty negotiations on Plastic Pollution.
RESULTS: Cigarette filters, commonly discarded as litter, release CA fibers and harmful chemicals over time, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health. In addition to traditional cigarette waste, heated tobacco products (HTPs) and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) generate additional plastic and metallic waste, complicating disposal. Recent evidence shows that smokers may inhale microplastics (MP), highlighting an underrecognized health risk. Despite existing regulatory frameworks, mechanisms to address tobacco-related MP remain insufficient.
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive regulations on tobacco waste, including bans on cigarette filters and the adoption of extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies. Strengthening Article 18 of the WHO FCTC, focusing on environmental protection, could foster synergy between public health and plastic pollution mitigation. Integrating tobacco waste into global treaties addressing MP will protect ecosystems and human health.